Tuesday, March 12, 2013

INTERVIEW: Bronx Cheerleader

It's all about the melody for me. Interesting lyrics are a good thing to have too, but the melody is the main thing. You can tear a page out of the phone book and sing it to a really good melody.

2)Having music on Band Camp, along with other such platforms in music right now such as Sound Cloud, Spotify and others, do you feel that music is moving into a virtual age? Personally, I fully support the idea of downloading songs for free from Band Camp and then if I like them buying them on vinyl.

The virtual age is already here, I think. And Bandcamp and Soundcloud are both great platforms to send and share new music. Bands don't even really have to press CD's anymore. Most people just download the digital files or, if they want to buy a physical product, they buy the vinyl.

3)How important of a factor do you feel that record labels play in music these days when pretty much anyone can put their music on the internet as opposed to having to hand out demo tapes at shows, the distribution record labels can offer, etc. It just seems like it’s a bit easier these days to succeed as a band- and even build up a strong fan base- before a label possibly comes calling for you.

I wouldn't say it's easier to succeed. It's easier to put out music now so more people are doing it, but it also means there's more competition and greater selection for music fans (which isn't a bad thing either). Indie labels can still be a good thing for new bands as far as helping with PR and touring. After the whole Napster in the 90's and the resulting financial hit they took, major labels don't take any chances anymore with new bands. These days they really won't touch any band if they don't think they can move a million copies of their album. If the Flaming Lips had come along ten years later they'd still be an indie band.

4)If you could tour with any single band or musician who would you pick and why?

I'd have to say Deerhunter. They're such a great band and I think we have a vaguely similar sound that some of their fans might be into.

5)Who is your favorite New Kid on the Block?

I like that one that sings and dances. I forget his name. Chip, is it?